Stoker mechanism



Sept. 6, 1938.

w. T. HANNA STOKER MECHANISM Filed April 28, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 M M STY N m m2 w T Mm ,m ram fi Sept. 6, 1938. w. 'r. HANNA STOK'ER MECHANISMFiled April 28. 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR William T. HannaATTORNEYS 44k HQ M Sept. 6, 1938. w. T. HANNA 2,128,940

STOKER MECHANISM Filed April 28, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR William1? fianna ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE14 Claims.

This invention pertains to mechanism for distributing fuel over a firebed. Although the embodiments of the invention chosen for illustrationare particularly adapted for the distribution of coal, and the like,overthe fire bed of a locomotive, the invention is adapted fordispersing and distributing solid particles of other kinds for otherpurposes. I

In stokers for spreading fuel over the fire box of the locomotive thefuelusually flows from the locomotive tender to a hopper locatedtherebelow, and thence it is moved through a conduit or passageway tothe fire box. From the mouth of this passageway the fuel is spread asuniformly as possible over the entire area of the fire bed by fueldistributing mechanism preferably employing a fluid blast as fuelimpelling or conveying'means. The distributing mechanism is locatedrelatively close to the fire bed and so 20 is exposed to the intenseheat of the fire. It is thus subjected to damaging effects to whichother parts of the stoking mechanism are not exposed. Such being thecase, it is desirable to have the parts comprising the distributingmechanism protected against the damaging effect of high temperature inso far as possible, and also to make them readily replaceable in theevent of damage. It is one of the objects of this invention to providefor such replacement.

Further, fire boxes in different locomotives vary in dimensions, theinclination of the back heads vary, and the nature and condition of thefuel may change from day to day. On one locomotive the distributingmechanism may necessarily be located relatively low in a long fire box,while in another it may necessarily be located relatively high in ashort fire box. In each, the direction of, and the force with which thefuel is impelled from the distributing mechanism will vary. Tocompensate for these variables, it is desirable to provide foradjustment of certain of the parts of the distributing mechanism so thata. particular stoker model may be adjusted to supply various types offire boxes and operatev on fuel of different characteristics, as tosize, moisture content, etc. It is another object of this invention toprovide for such an adjustment of the parts of the distributingmechanism.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

This application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application,Serial, Number 679,548, series of 1925.-

The invention accordingly consists in the fea- 55 tures of construction,combinations of elements,

and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to behereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will beindicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown one or more of thevarious possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 shows a distributor plate in cross-section, and shows in sideelevation a blast chamber associated with the distributor plate. A steaminlet port going to the blast chamber is shown in vertical section;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken through line 2-2 of Figure 1,certain parts being broken away;

Figure 3 is a staggered vertical section of a back-head of a fire boxand showing a modification of the means for mounting a distributor plateshown in Figures 1 and 2.

Corresponding reference characters refer to corresponding partsthroughout the several drawmes.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a fire box is generally indicated at I,having the usual back head 3 provided with a firing opening 5 embracedby a fuel supply housing I which is part of a mechanical stokingmechanism, such as is described in my co-pending application, SerialNumber 286,222, filed June 18, 1928, now Patent 2,044,001, June 16,1936. Fuel coming froma source of supply is forced to rise throughelevating conduit 9 to housing 1 and to flow through the firing openingMounted inthe firing opening 5, and properlyassociated with the mouth ofhousing I, is fuel distributing mechanism, generally indicated at I3,for distributing fuel (coming from the conduit 9) over the fire bed ofthe fire box.

The distributing mechanism comprises, in part, a blast chamber,generally indicated at l5. Referring to Figure 3, the blast chambercomprises -a body portion ll having channels l9 and 2| connectedrespectively with upwardly extending hollow side arms 23 and 25.Referring to Figure 2, the side arms are preferably pivotally connectedto pipes 21 and 29 extending through the housing I and forming pivotedsupports for the blast chamber. Pipes 2! and 29 are preferablyrespectively supplied with low and high pressure steam. The pivotconnection permits or swinging the chamber back and out of the firingopening into the housing where it is more accessible for cleaning orreplacement. The down ward'swing of the chamber in the firing Opening 55is limited by contact with the front edge of housing 1.

Fuel entering firing opening 5 from the mouth of housing I and passingover blast chamber I5 is screened by (Figures 2 and 3) a plurality ofradially diverging fingers 3 I, the tops of which slope downwardly andforwardly toward the fire box. The fingers, as a unit, form a grating,the top edges forming the bars of the grate, and openings 33therebetween forming the openings between the bars of the grate. Withthis arrangement, larger pieces of fuel ride over the tops of thefingers, and smaller particles fall through the openings, the increasingwidth of the openings eliminating any tendency for particles of fuel tobecome wedged between the fingers.

As shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, the fingers are provided withpassageways 35 connected with channel 21 (which extends the length ofbody portion ll) so that high pressure steam coming from the hollow arm25 flows through the passageways. Thus, each finger is, in effect, anozzle directing a jet of steam into the fire box, the jets togetherforming a high pressure sheet blast. Larger pieces of coal falling offover the ends of fingers 3| are caught in the blast jets emittedtherefrom, and impelled to the various sections of the fire bed.

The fuel not falling over the ends of fingers 3| falls through openings33 between the fingers, and for distributing this fuel the blast chamberis provided with a sheet jet of steam located below the plane of thefingers (referring to Figure 3) emitted from a slot 31 connected withthe low pressure channel or chamber 19. The bottom of chamber I9 isformed by a plate 39 se cured to the lower surface of body portion H byscrews, or the like (not shown), and slot 31 is formed by a cut 38running the length of the plate. Slot 3'lthus forms an outlet for thelow pressure steam, the steam being emitted in the form of a sheet jetbeneath the high pressure jets from fingers 3|. As described, this sheetjet propels fuel falling through openings 33 to the various points ofthe fire bed.

As shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, chamber I5 is preferably providedat either side of the fingers 3| with jets 43 connected with the highpressure chamber 2| for reaching rearward portions of the fire box (notshown).

From the foregoing it is evident that the high pressure jets issuingfrom the fingers 3! are adapted to handle the larger pieces of coal, andthe low pressure sheet jet is adapted to handle the finer particles, thejets at the extreme sides of the blast chamber handling both the fineand large fuel and conveying it to the respective corners of the firebox. Now, to aid these jets in controlling the direction of the forwardmovement of the fuel, beneath the blast chamber there is preferablylocated a distributor plate, generally ndicated at 49, and forming partof the distributing mechanism I3. The plate is preferably slightlyspaced from the blast chamber which is held slightly above the plate byits supports so that the plate may be raised and lowered within limits,such adjustment affording the desired flexibility of operation abovediscussed as being desirable.

The upper surface of the plate (referring to Figure 2) may be consideredas divided into a central portion 5| having a plane surface, sidegrooved surfaces 53-53 and rear-most surfaces 55-55. These varioussurfaces coact with the steam jets located above them to control theangle (with respect to the horizontal) at which the fuel is shot fromthe distributing device. Thus, by varying the angle of the upper surfaceof the plate with respect to the horizontal, the fuel may be caused tofall nearer or farther from the device. Thus, ready adjustability of theangle of the plate is a desirable feature.

Further, the distributor plate extending as it does into the fire box isexposed to the high temperature existing therein, and accordingly issubject to relatively rapid deterioration. For this reason it isdesirable to make it as rugged as possible and to provide for readyreplacement of the plate.

To these ends, ready interchangeability and adjustability of thedistributor plate is provided for by the novel manner in which it ismounted on the conduit 9, a preferred embodiment of which is shown inFigures 1 and 2.

Extending from the under forward side of conduit 9 are spaced stationarysupports 63 forming two points of a three-point support, and serving asa lower (fulcrum) support for the under surface of the distributorplate. The supports 63 terminate in spherically shaped ends 65 whichmake rocking contacts with the under surface of plate 49 at raisedportions 6'! extending therefrom and having machined surfaces.

From the bottom surface of plate 49 and at the outer sides of raisedportions 61 (referring to Figures 1 and 2) ears or projections 56-56extend downwardly to secure the lateral position of the distributorplate and to insure the proper alignment of the raised portions with theends 65.

Extending from the rear of plate 49 is a triangular section 51 providedwith opening 6| surrounded by a raised portion having a sphericalsurface 62. Threaded down through a hole 58 in a forwardly extending lipportion of housing 1, and forming the third point of the threepointsupport, is a screw 59. The screw 59 has a threaded portion forthreading into the hole 58, and the threaded portion terminates in ashoulder 60, from which extends a stud portion 64 having a diameter lessthan that of the shoulder and threaded portion. The stud end of screw 59has free entrance into hole 6| of plate 49, the shoulder 60 contactingwith spherical surface 62 to limit the entrance and provide a universalcontact. Thus, the screw forms the upper support for the distributingplate, shoulder 60 providing the support and stud end 64 securing thelateral position of the rear end of the plate and the alignment of theshoulder and raised portion 62.

By vertically adjusting the position of screw 59 with respect to thehousing, the angle of the plate with respect to the horizontal may beadjusted. After adjustment the screw may be locked in position by meansof a nut H, countersunk in a hole 13 in the lip of the housing. Andfurther, by withdrawing the stud end 64 from hole 6| into threaded hole58, the distributor plate may be quickly and easily removed. Dur- I ingremoval and replacement of the plate the blast chamber may be swung backout of the firing opening into housing I.

areas-4o pin insuring alignment and the sleeve providing the support.The sleeve is threaded into hole 58 of housing I and may be locked inany position of vertical adjustment by means of a set screw 19 threadedinto a hole 8| in housing I. The upper end of the sleeve is providedwith a hexagonal head 83 adapted to receive a wrench, or

the like, and countersunk in hole 13. I'he lower end 85 of the sleeve isunthreaded and coacts with the raised spherical surface 62 of plate 49to provide a contact therebetween. By vertically adjusting the sleeve 11in the threaded hole 58, the position of the distributor plate may beadjusted. To hold the distributor plate in position with respect to itsvarious supports, pin 15 is dropped through sleeve 11 and hole SI ofplate 49.

An advantage of this modification is that the plate may be removed bysimply raising the pin 15 into the sleeve, disengaging it from the holeBI; and a new plate replaced and secured by reinserting the pin-allwithout varying the adjustment of the sleeve 11 which determines theposition of the distributor plate.

The efliciency of distributing device i3 is fur ther improved by makingthe plate more resistant to the damaging effect of the heat of the fire,thereby increasing its life, To this end it is provided at its forwardface with an apron 52 extending downwardly from the forward edge. Thisapron, made with a relatively thick crosssection, re-enforces theforward edge of the plate and tends to, prevent its warping under theinfluence of the heat, and also prevents radiant rays of the fire fromreaching the rear portion of the distributor plate and its support.

As various embodiments might bemade of this invention, and as variouschanges might be made in the construction herein described, all withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood thatall matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is tobe interpreted as illustrative andfnot in a limiting sense.

I claim:

- 1. In a stoking apparatus having a passageway for feeding solid fuelto a fire box and fuel distributing means associated with the outlet ofsaid passagewaycomprising means for directing jets of steam into thefirebox to distribute the fuel therein, the'steam jets in thedistribution; in combination, means for mounting said distributor platebeneath said steam jets by a three-point sup port comprising twostationary spaced lower fulcrum supports having contact with theunderside of said distributing plate, and a third vertically adjustableupper support having contact with the upper surface of said distributingplate, said last contact being displaced from a line joining said twolower contacts, the angle of said plate with respect to the horizontalbeing adjustable by the vertical adjustment of said upper support.

2. Instoking apparatus having a passageway for feeding solid'fuel to afire box, and fuel distributing means associated with the outlet of saidpassageway, comprising means for directing jets of steam into the firebox to distribute the fuel therein, and a distributor plate for aidingthe steam-jets in .the distribution; in combina tion, means for mountingsaid distributor plate beneath said steam jets by a three-point supportcomprising two stationary spaced lower fulcrum supports having contactwith the underside of said distributing plate, and a verticallyadjustable upper support comprising a threaded and a distributor platefor aiding surface of said plate stud having a reduced end portion and ashoulder at the juncture of the threaded and reduced portions, saidreduced portion having entrance. into a hole provided in saiddistributor plate,

the shoulder limiting the entrance and providing contact between theadjustable support and the plate, the angle of said plate with respectto the horizontal being adjustable by the vertical adjustment of saidupper support, the limited entrance of the reduced portion into saidplate preventing accidental removal of the plate from its stationarysupports, but permitting ready removal of the plate from the lowersupports when the reduced portion is removed from the hole of the plate.

3. In stoking apparatus having a passageway for feeding solid fuel to afire box, and fuel distributing means associated with the outlet of saidpassageway, comprising means for directing jets of steam into the firebox to distribute the fuel therein, and a distributor plate for aidingthe steam jets in the distribution; in combination, means-for mountingsaid distributor plate beneath said steam jets by a three-point supportcomprising two stationary spaced lower fulcrum supports having contactwith the underside of said distributing plate, and a verticallyadjustable upper support contacting the upper surface of said plate,retractable means associated with said adjustable support adapted to bemoved into interlocking contact with said plate for securing properpositioning of said plate with respect to said supports, saidretractable means being retractable from contact with the plate topermit ready removal of said plate from said supports for replacementpurposes, and the angle of said plate with respect to the horizontalbeing adjustable by the vertical adjustment of said adjustable support.V

4. As an article of manufacture, a distributor plate for use inconnection with stoker mechanism, including means for distributing fuelover a fire bed, and having means for supporting a distributor plate,said distributor plate being cast the forward edge of the distributorplate having a downwardly extending apron for protecting the plate andits supports from the damaging efl'ects of the high temperature of thefire bed, the under having raised, machined surfaces for contact withlower supportsof said supporting means, and having downwardly extendingguides for insuring the desired position of said plate, theupper'surface of the rearward central portion of said plate having araised, spherical surface to provide a contact between an upper supportof said supporting means, and having a hole therein for receiving a pinassociated with said upper support for securing the lateral position ofsaid plate.

5. In stoking apparatus having a passageway for feeding solid fuel to afire box, and fuel distributing means associated with the outlet of saidpassageway, comprising means for directing jets of steam into the firebox to distribute the fuel therein, and a distributor plate for aidingthe steam jets in the distribution; in combination, means for mountingsaid distributor plate beneath said steam jets, comprising lower fulcrumsupports having rolling contact with the underside of said distributingplate, a vertically adjustable upper support comprising an externally.threaded sleeve extending downwardly from said ing through said sleeveand having entrance into a hole provided'in said distributor plate formaintaining the desired operative relation between said plate and uppersupport, said pin being retractable to permit of ready and completeremoval of said plate from its supports for replacement purposes.

6. In stoking apparatus, having a passageway for feeding solid fuel to afire box, and fuel distributing means associated with the outlet of saidpassageway, comprising means for directing jets of steam into the firebox to distribute the fuel thereinto, and a distributor plate for aidingthe steam jets in the distribution; in combination, means for mountingsaid distributor plate be neath said steam jets by a three-point supportcomprising two stationary spaced fulcrum supports having contact withone side of said distributing plate, and a third vertically adjustablesupport having contact with the other side of said distributing plate,said last contact lying at the vertex of a triangle defined by the threecontacts, the angle of said plate with respect to the horizontal beingadjustable by the vertical adjustment of said adjustable support.

'7. In stoking apparatus having a passageway for feeding solid fuel to afire box, and fuel distributing means associated with the outlet of saidpassageway, comprising means for directing jets of steam into the firebox to distribute the fuel therein, and a distributor plate for aidingthe steam jets in the distribution; in combination, means for mountingsaid distributor plate beneath said steam jets by a three-point supportcomprising two stationary spaced lower fulcrum supports having contactwith the underside of said distributing plate, and a third verticallyadjustable upper support having contact with the upper side of saiddistributing plate, said last support lying at the vertex of a triangledefined by the three supports, the angle of said plate with respect tothe horizontal being adjustable by the vertical adjustment of said uppersupport, and the withdrawal of said upper support from contact with saidplate permitting the complete, ready withdrawal of said plate from thesupports for replacement purposes.

8. In stoking apparatus having a passageway for feeding solid fuel to afire box, and fuel distributing. means associated with the outlet ofsaid passageway, comprising means for directing jets of steam into thefire box to distribute the fuel therein, and a distributor plate foraiding the steam jets in the distribution; in combination, means formounting said distributor plate benneath said steam jets comprisinglower supporting means extending forwardly from below said passageway,and an upper support comprising a pin member extending through a lowerwall portion of said passageway from the inside thereof into a holeprovided in said distributor plate for maintaining the desired positionbetween said plate and uppe support, said pin being retractable topermit of ready and complete removal of said plate. from its supportsfor replacement purposes. I

9. A locomotive stoker having a conduit for conveying solid fuel to afiring opening of a firebox, in combination, a fuel distributing platelocated within the firing opening, lower supporting means extendingforwardly from the underside of said conduit for providing fulcrumcontacting support for the underside of said distributor plate, meansextending downwardly from said conduit from the inside thereof andproviding a stop for contacting the upper side of said distributingplate, and said downwardly extending means being vertically adjustablefrom within said conduit to rock said plate about the lower supportingmeans to adjust the angle of the distributor plate.

10. A locomotive stoker having a conduit for conveying solid fuel to afiring opening of a firebox, in combination, a fuel distributing platelocated within the firing opening, means for supporting saiddistributing plate comprising a pair of supports extending forwardlyfrom the underside of said conduit and having rounded supportingsurfaces for contacting with machined surfaces on the underside of saiddistributing plate, and a. third vertically adjustable support havingcontact with the other side of said distributing plate, said lastcontact lying at the vertex of a triangle'defined by the three contacts,the angle of said plate with respect to the horizontal being adjustableby the vertical adjustment of said adjustable support. 7

11. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a conduit for feeding fuelto a fuel entrance of a locomotive firebox, a fuel distributing plate,means for supporting said plate comprising fulcrum supporting meansextending forwardly from the underside'of said conduit and meansextending downwardly from said conduit from the in side'thereof forpreventing turning of the plate about the fulcrum supporting means, saiddownwardly extending means being adjustable with respect to said conduitfrom the inside thereof for adjusting the angle of said distributorplate with respect to the horizontal, and means extending through saiddownwardly extending means into said plate for preventing horizontalmovement of said plate, and being freely slidable in said downwardlyextending means.

12. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a conduit for feeding fuelto a fuel entrance of a locomotive firebox, a fuel distributing plate,

means for supporting said distributing plate comfrom the inside thereoffor adjusting the angle of said distributor plate with respect to thehorizontal means for locking said means in its adjusted position, andmeans freely slidable in said downwardly extending means and extendingtherethrough into said plate for holding it against horizontal movement.

13. A locomotive stoker having a conduit for conveying solid fue L' to afiring opening of a firebox, in combination, a fuel distributing platelocated within the firing opening, lower supporting means extendingforwardly from the underside of said conduit for providing restingsupport for the underside of said distributor plate, a. sleeve threadedthrough said conduit wall from the inside thereof to a point therebelowfor contacting the upper side "of said distributor plate to provide astop, said sleeve being adjustable with respect to said conduit toadjust the angle of the distributor plate with respect to thehorizontal, and a pin loosely exending through said sleeve and enteringa hole in said distributor plate for maintaining the sleeve and plate inthe desired operative relationship.

14. As an article of manufacture, a. distributor plate for use inconnection with stoker mechanism, said stoker mechanism including meansfor distributing fuel over a fire bed, and having means for supportingsaid distributor plate, said distributor plate being cast in a singlegenerally rectangulariy shaped piece, the forward edge of thedistributor plate having a downwardly extending apron for protecting theplate and its supports from the damaging effects of the high temperatureof the fire box', the under surface of said plate having raised,machined surfaces for contact with lower supports of said supportingmeans, and having downwardly extending guides beside said machinedsurfaces for abutting the sides of said supporting means for insuringthe desired positioning of said plate, and having a machined surface onthe top adapted to contact with another support of said supportingmeans.

WILLIAM THOMPSON HANNA.

